Trump Targets Federal Bureaucracy, Ousts 17 Inspectors General Across Multiple Agencies

President Donald Trump’s administration abruptly dismissed 17 inspectors general (IGs) on Friday night, an unexpected move that left Washington officials stunned.

The decision, carried out via emails from the White House Presidential Personnel Office, offered no advance notice to lawmakers or substantive explanations for the firings.

President Donald Trump fired 17 independent watchdogs at multiple government agencies on Friday, a person with knowledge of the matter said, eliminating a critical oversight component and clearing the way to replace them with loyalists.
The inspectors general at agencies… pic.twitter.com/9hLwUhQApY

— Karli Bonne’ (@KarluskaP) January 25, 2025

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At least one email cited “changing priorities” as a reason for the dismissals, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The dismissals impacted IGs across several key federal agencies, including the departments of State, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Labor, and Defense.

Other affected agencies included the Small Business Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Energy Corporation.

The inspectors general, though intended to operate independently from the administration, are tasked with identifying fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct within government operations.

Critics argue, however, that the political nature of their appointments often complicates their independence.

Among those dismissed was Sean O’Donnell, the EPA inspector general appointed during Trump’s first term.

O’Donnell’s removal raised eyebrows, particularly since Michael Horowitz, the Department of Justice (DOJ) IG, was retained.

‼️‼️TRUMP FIRES 17 INSPECTORS GENERALS in a late-night purge punctuating the end of his first five days in office. @RealDonaldTrump dismissed 17 federal agency watchdogs. I’ve covered these IGs for years — and trust me when I say, even though they are charged with ferreting out… pic.twitter.com/ILwBW2NRxY

— Susan Crabtree (@susancrabtree) January 25, 2025

Horowitz had been criticized for not addressing alleged abuses of power within the DOJ under Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Michael Missal, the inspector general for the Department of Veterans Affairs, was also removed.

Missal had led investigations into the Biden administration’s troubled electronic health records system for veterans, uncovering systemic issues that put veterans at risk.

Additionally, Mark Greenblatt, the Interior Department IG, was fired despite overseeing a 2021 investigation into U.S. Park Police actions during Trump’s first term.

Conversely, Joseph V. Cuffari Jr., the inspector general for the Department of Homeland Security, was spared.

Cuffari, a Trump appointee, has faced scrutiny for misleading the Senate during his nomination process and allegations of misconduct during his tenure.

The firings have sparked backlash from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Critics argue that the move undermines the traditional independence of inspectors general.

Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) called the dismissals a threat to accountability, stating, “Inspectors general are charged with rooting out government waste, fraud, abuse and preventing misconduct. President Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption.”

It’s a purge of independent watchdogs in the middle of the night.

Inspectors general are charged with rooting out government waste, fraud, abuse, and preventing misconduct.

President Trump is dismantling checks on his power and paving the way for widespread corruption. https://t.co/mZNGzche7Y

— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) January 25, 2025

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), a longtime defender of inspectors general, previously warned against a broad ouster of IGs.

“I work closely with all the inspectors general and I think I’ve got a good reputation for defending them. And I intend to defend them,” Grassley told POLITICO in November.

The legality of the mass dismissals has also come into question.

The move may violate laws governing the federal IG system, setting the stage for a potential court battle.

Legal experts predict the issue could reach the Supreme Court, which may ultimately rule on whether Congress can restrict a president’s ability to dismiss appointees.

Observers speculate that the Trump administration may be using this action to challenge broader legislative constraints on executive power.

Some suggest the White House could use this case to test arguments that might apply to other Congressional oversight measures, such as the Impoundment Control Act of 1974.

As the fallout continues, the dismissed inspectors general leave behind significant investigations, raising questions about the future of accountability within federal agencies.

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